Palestine calls for refugee rights on anniversary of Sabra and Shatila massacre

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat vowed to keep refugee's rights at the forefront of peace negotiations in a statement released on the 31st anniversary of the Sabra and Shatila massacre, which saw over 800 Palestinian refugees killed.

Palestinian officials on Monday said that it will continue to push for the rights of refugees in the peace talks with Israel, as Palestine marked the 31st anniversary of the Sabra and Shatila massacre.

The massacre was presented as retaliation for the assassination of newly elected Lebanese president Bachir Gemayel, who was the leader of the Lebanese Kataeb Party. It was wrongly assumed that it had been Palestinian militants who had killed Gemayel – it was later revealed the assassination was carried out by Lebanese militants with ties to Syria.

With Palestinian fighters having withdrawn from Lebanon just a few weeks prior, and the Israeli army in effective control of the area around the camp, the residents were defenceless, PNN reported.

"31 years later, there is still no justice for the victims. In fact, those responsible, including then Defence Minister Ariel Sharon, would go on to have very successful political careers, adding further insult to the injury," Erekat, who is also Palestine's chief negotiator in the peace talks, said.

Erekat added: "While negotiations are ongoing[6], we want to assure our people, from Sabra and Shatila to Yarmouk, that a solution to the refugee issue in compliance with international law, including UN General Assembly Resolution 194, will be the cornerstone of any agreement. The rights of refugees have been denied for too long, and there can be no lasting and just peace so long as that continues to be the case."